Costing around $120 million, the building will be able to house nine galleries with 29 themes compared to old temporary venue in the State Mufti’s Office where it can only house four themed exhibitions.

The building, which will also serve to become one of the country’s landmarks, is slated to be completed by March 2017.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and His Royal Highness Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah as well as His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

ADVANCEMENTS in technology have led to some individuals feeling the need to be “connected” but this has led to a lack of interaction between family members.

This was said by Permanent Secretary (Media and Cabinet) at the Prime Minister’s Office Hj Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos at the Social Media Forum 2015 held at the AITI building in Anggerek Desa yesterday.

The forum was an initiative by the Content Advisory Council and organised by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI).

It was held to promote the positive use of social media and educate users about online etiquette.

He highlighted that the “uncontrolled” use of such technology could socially impact the interaction between family members, friends and colleagues.

“Nowadays in many restaurants we walk into, we see many people sitting on the same table yet not communicating to each other but are instead communicating with someone …

He urged the Department to keep up with new technologies, adding that this is important in drawing public attention and disseminate information.

“Now we are in an era of information technology. Our society now has many ways of getting information, which is now made easily available with technological advancements,” said Hj Mohd Rozan in his opening remarks.

“We realised that people are exposed to information that are accurate as well as information that are exaggerated. This is a big challenge for media organisations globally, and the Information Department is not exempted.